30Q #59 - Shapely

[Shapley]

"The time has come", the Walrus said,
"to speak of many things.
Of ships and shoes,
and Opera scores,
and tympani, and strings,
and why the sea is boiling hot,
and how well Pavarotti Sings."

My apologies to Lewis Carroll

Let the questions begin!

[navneeth]

Is the number 59 connected to this piece in any "reasonable" way? (Opus, catalogue number, age of the composer when it was being written, year composed, years since the piece was composed)

[Shapley]

"I think," said the caterpiller "that the number 59 has no connection to the piece."

[Trumpetmaster]

Was the work written after 1900?

[Shapley]

"A twentieth century composition?" Pondered Alice.

"I have to say 'No'" replied the caterpillar.

[Trumpetmaster]

Was the work written after 1800?

[Shapley]

"A nineteenth century work?" queried Alice.

"I think," Said the Caterpillar, "That that would be correct."

[Trumpetmaster]

OK - I've narrowed it down to 100 years!

Written between 1800 and 1900!

Was the composer born in Europe?

[Shapley]

Europe?

Yes.

[Trumpetmaster]

Is this work composed for soloist and orchestra?

[Shapley]

Is there a soloist?

Yes.

And an orchestra?

Yes.

That was question number 5, by the way, since I have failed thus far to identify them numerically.

[navneeth]

Was it composed in the second half of the century?

If so, was it composed after Americn Express was founded and before the birth of C.V.Raman?

[Catmando]

Is the soloist a part for a stringed instrument?

[Shapley]

6. Since being composed in the second half of the nineteenth century and being composed after the founding of American Express (1850) are practically identical questions - the answer to both is yes.

7. Was it composed before the birth of C.V. Raman (November 7, 1888) -also 'yes'.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

'Twas brillig, and the slithy Tenor
Did gyre and gimble on the stage.
All mimsy were the Choristers,
And the orchestra outgrabe.

Is this piece an Opera?
Is this plot a dreadful mess?
Does a maiden die forlorn?
Is there a villain in fancy dress?

Apologies to Mr. Dodgson

[Catmando]

Is the soloist a part for a stringed instrument?

ahem

[Shapley]

ahem

8. stringed soloist? Yes.
_______________________________


Is it Opera? Set in exotic land,
tenors in third socks, and costumes bright
baritones bellowing and sopranos on hand
seeking revenge for the queen of the night?

An Opera? full of music and song,
songs of love, of sorrow, of woe?
An opera? Operetta? Operette?
Alas, the answer to nine is 'No'.

[Trumpetmaster]

Is the composer German?

[Shapley]

10. German composer? No.

[Trumpetmaster]

10. German composer? No.

That eliminates a number of composer's I've been looking at!